Combined developing and fixing tanks.



J. 8. WILSON.

COMBINED DEVELOPINGJND FIXING TANKS.

APPLICATION HLED MAR. 6. 1915.

1 ,1 58,879. Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

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APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6. I915. 1,158,879.

Patented 'Nov. 2, 1915.

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' I. S. WILSON.

COMBINED DEVELOPING AND FIXING TANKS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6. 1915.

1,158,879, Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

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.COEIBINED DEVELOPING AND FIXING TANKS.

Spokane, county of Spokane, and State of Washington, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Developand Fixing Tanks; and I do hereby declare the followin to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to combined developing and fixing tanks.

The object of the invention resides in the provision of a device in which films or plates may be developed and fixed.

A further object of the invention resides in so constructing the device that the several parts thereof may be nested so as to be exceedingly compact.

A further object of the invention resides in formingthe several parts of the device in such manner that a number ofthe devices may be packed in acomparatively small space with the minimum loss of room be tween the several devices.

A still further'object of the invention resides in constructing the device in such manner that various amounts of developing or fixing solutions may be used when plates are being developed, the quantity being increased proportionately with'the number of plates.

sides in so constructing the device that the film container may be lifted bodily from either the developing or fixing tank without necessitating the placing of the operators hands in the respective solutions therein.

A still further object of the invention lies in the construction of the develo ing and fixing. tanks in such manner that t ey may be rocked to insure the even development or fixing of the plates or films.

A still further object lies in constructing the device in such manner that the rocking movement will be limited to such magnitude that the solutions in either the developin or fixing tank will not be spilled or sp ashed therefrom.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the film container in such manner that one end of each film will extend a short distance beyond the edge of Specification of Letters Patent. I Application filed March a, 1915. Serial No. 12,483.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

moved without thevplacing of the fingefs upon the faces thereof, and in the provi "ion of means for preventing the mutilatiom-of the films by the contacting of'the same with the side of the tank during the rocking movement.

With these and other objects in view,

such as willappear as the description progresses, my invention comprises the combination and arrangement of parts as set forth in and falling within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing :Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of my device showing the positions of the several parts when the device is packed for transportation or storing; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken at right angles to Fig. l and disclosing the rocking rib and supporting leg of the developing tank; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the developing tank showing the film container therein,

one film being shown extending from the edge ofthe container; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the film container; Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the'fplate rack in place therein; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view oi". the rack showing in dotted lines one plate therein.

Referring to the drawings now, more particularly, wherein like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the several views :-In the embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, 1 have provided a A still further object of the invention re- 3 in spaced relation to the upper edge ofthe tank. Nested within this tank 1, when thedevice is packed, is a second tank l of similar formation, but slightly smaller. This tank is likewise provided with a ridge 5 similar to the ridge 3 of the tank 1, and a rib 6 similar to the rib 2, but smaller, so that it will fit into the said rib 2 when the two tanks are-nested. The bottom of the tank 4 is provided with a projection 7 which acts as a leg and in conjunction with the rib 6 prevents the rocking of the tank when it rests upon a table orother similar support.

Removably mounted in the tank 4 is a film container 8, which is substantially of rectangular formationand equal in width to the tank 4, but slightly less than the length thereof. This container consists of a plurality of substantially semi-cylindrical members 9, each of which overlaps the next succeeding one and is provided with inwardly turned flanges 10, which are secured to the outer face of the said next succeeding member. The flanges on one end member are connected together by metallicbrace bars 11. These superposed members 8 provide chambers 12 for the reception of films. In constructing this container, the number of chambers is determined by the number of films which are to be developed, and thus the container may be designed to hold various numbers of films. The length of these members 8 are slightly less than the lengths of the films, so that one edge of each film will project beyond one side of the container. This side of the container is held in spaced relation to the adjacent wall of the tank in which it is located by outwardly extending lugs 13, which are secured to the container in spaced relation and engage the said wall of the tank. This film container is provided with a pair of spaced upwardly extending grip members or handles 14, by

- means of which the container may be lifted from the tank in which it is located without necessitating the placing of the operators fingers in the solution in the tank.

Removably mounted on the tank 4 is a cover 15 WhlCll is provided with a flange 16 adapted to extend into the tank 4 and contact with the inner faces of the walls thereof. This cover is also provided with a chan have provided a rack 18 which is substantially of U-shaped formation, and comprises sides 19 and an .end 20. The sides are held in proper spaced relation by a brace 21. The inner faces of the sides and end of this rack 18 are provided with corrugated portions 22, in themanner illustrated in the drawing.

When the device is ready for shipping or storing, the'tank 4 is nested in the tank 2, the container 8 located in the tank 4 and the cover placed upon the saidlastmentioned tank. The rack 18 may be placed on the film containerand thus conveniently packed in the tank 4.

In using the device for developing and fixing films of the style ordinarily usedin film packs, the tank 4 is removed from the tank 1 and the container from the tank 4. These tanks are placed upon a table or other suitable support, the tank 4 filled with a dc veloping solution and the tank 1 with a fixing solution. The films are then placed in the film container, so that one edge of each film extends slightly beyond the side of the container, so that the sensitized faces thereof are exposed and so that the edges are slightly spaced from the flanges 10, and the container submerged in the solution in the tank 4. Care should be taken that the solution in the tank 4 is not higher than the ridge 5, and if this is observed, the grips or handles 14 will extend above the surface of the solution. This operation is, 'of course,

carried out in a dark room. The cover 15 is- ,of the table until the projection 7 no longer rests thereon. The tank may then be rocked, but will be limited in its rocking movement by the contacting of the edges thereof with the table, and this limited movement is such that it will not cause the solution to splash from the tank. After the developing has been completed, the container is removed from this tank and placed in the fixing solution in the tank 1, after having been suitably washed. .This tank 1 is then given a rocking movement on the rib 2 and the liquid caused to flow back and forth'through the chambers 8, gently. After the fixing is concluded, the films may be removed washed and dried in the usual man ner. In removing the films, the projecting ends are grasped and the films are pulled from their respective chambers. This method of removing is exceedingly advantageous, inasmuch. as it obviates the necessity for the operator placing his hands upon the faces of the films.

When plates are to be developed, the film container is, of course, dispensed with and the plate rack 18 placed in the developing tank 4, after the plates have been placed in the said rack, so as to be supported by the corrugated portions 22. The same rocking movement is imparted to the tank 4 during the development of these plates. The rack is removed ,from the developing tank and placed in the fixing tank 1 and the rocking action followed. Now should it be desirable to develop only one plate, for instance, this plate will be placed in the rack so as to be supported by the lowermost of the corrugations on the portions 22, and consequently, but a small amount of developing and fixing solutions will be required, that is, only so much as is necessary to submerge the plate. Of course, as the number of plates increases, the amount of the solutions will increase proportionately. This is particularly advantageous, inasmuch as a great economy of the solutions may be efl'ected.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided a combined developing and fixing device which consists of a plurality of tanks, a film container and a plate rack. I have so constructed the device that the several parts may be conveniently nested, so as to be exceedingly compact for convenience in shipping or storing.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it has merely been for the sake of illustration, and I wish it to be understood that I do not want to be limited to that particular embodiment, as it is obvious that numerous changes in the mechanical details may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or without exceeding the scope of the claims.

What I claim is 1. In a combined developlng and fixing device, the combination with a rectangular tank, of'a second similar but smaller tank adapted to be nested therein, a cover removably mounted on the second-mentioned tank, the said tank being provided with a transversely extending rib on the bottom thereof. and means located to one side of said rib for preventing the' rocking of the tank when disposed entirely on a fiat surface.

2. In a combined developing and fixing device, the combination with a tank, of a second tank adapted to be nested in the firstmentioned tank, a film container adapted for insertion into either of said tanks, and means on the container for spacing one edge thereof from the adjacent face of the tank.

3. In a combined developing and fixing device, a rectangular tank, a rectangular film container removably mounted therein, one edge of the said container being slightly spaced from the adjacent wall of the tank, and means for maintaining the said edge in its spaced relation.

In a combined developing and fixing device, a tank, a container removably mounted therein, said container comprising a plurality of superposed substantially semi-cylindrical members secured together, and handles rigidly secured to said container and extending upwardly therefrom.

5. In a combined developing and fixing device, the combination with a rectangular tank, of a film container removably mounted therein, the said container comprising aplurality of superposed substantially semi-cylindrical members so arranged as to form chambers therebetween, the said members having flanges on the edges thereof, the flanges on each member being secured to the next adjacent member.

6. In a combined developing and fixing device, the combination with a tank, means for supporting a photographic negative therein, and handles secured rigidly to said means, the tank being provided with means for indicating the height to which liquid may be placed in said tank without submerging the handles.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

1 JAMES S. WILSON. Witnesses:

S. H. LEoPoLD, WILLIAM SoHoD. 

